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Just like any modern-day romance, our love story starts on…. Instagram.
Kind of. But let’s back up a bit.
Growing up, we ran in the same circles, played sports for the same homeschool organization, and knew many of the same people, yet somehow never ran into each other. As young adults, our younger siblings befriended one another, so we were familiar with each other’s last names when Colin first “followed” Mara on Instagram. Mara, at the time, was professionally photographing weddings and portraits, so her interest was piqued when glancing at Colin’s page, which was suspiciously void of photos of him, but rather filled with photos he had taken. His photography was phenomenal. Obviously, she followed him back. Thus began a saga of “liking” many (if not all) of each other’s posts for a period of months (though it felt a lot longer).
While quarantined in 2020, Mara uncharacteristically threw caution to the wind and shot Colin a message. Eight months later, we were married.
Our Story
And why we do what we do…
Not only did we sign up for a lifetime of adventures together, but we also became an instant photography duo, and what was once Mara Urban Photography became Compton Photography. We shot our first wedding together before we even got engaged!
As a husband-wife team, wedding days are so much fun. Working together, capturing the beauty and emotion of our clients’ big day… to us, that feels like a date. And we love being a part of it! It’s a fun throwback to those early days of our relationship… just two kids with their cameras and a mission.
When we’re not out crushing it, covering weddings in Southwest Wisconsin and beyond, we are hard at work elsewhere.
Mara is at home, raising, wrangling, and stewarding our three sweet little girls, and gearing up to homeschool them (pray for her, it’s a big undertaking).
Colin works for a Madison-based construction company during the week. At home, he works equally as hard and wears many hats: fix-it man, super dad, Lego expert extraordinaire, Packer superfan, and best husband ever. In our free time, you could find us out on a family hike, undoubtedly with two little girls strolling at a snail’s pace and thoroughly enjoying all of creation around them, and a baby strapped in a carrier who’s just happy to be along for the ride. You might find Colin kayaking, fishing, or on a photo excursion. If you’re lucky, you might find him flexing his videography muscle, making cinematic magic. Mara is likely to be found in the gym, practicing her barista skills (maybe finally getting the hang of latte art?), or undertaking any number of artistic and creative endeavors (the current favorites are watercolor painting and crochet).
Whatever we’re up to, whether figuring out the many twists and turns of parenting or working together to photograph a wedding day, we have one sole purpose:
“Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ.” Colossians 3:23-24
Although we are flawed and sinful people, our prayer is that whatever we undertake, the Lord would use it to His glory. Soli Deo Gloria.
Our Style
And why it matters…
When we pick up our cameras, we aim to document the moment honestly with a cinematic feel. With our semi-candid session format, we capture your natural beauty and raw emotion. We want your sessions to be relaxed and fun, so we’re not big on rigid posing. Instead, we suggest starting points and then let you make the poses your own - do what feels comfortable for you!
On wedding days, we do our utmost to work quickly and efficiently. You’ve planned an amazing party with all of your loved ones in attendance, and we don’t want you to spend your precious time on the day tied up in a portrait session! We’ll get you back to the action as quickly as possible so that you can enjoy the celebration of your marriage.
